Freshwater Aquarium Substrate - Which Is The Best?
What Exactly Is Freshwater Aquarium Substrate?
Substrate is the material, generally gravel or sand, which is set on the bottom of aquariums. Substrate provides a reference point for your aquatic friends and reduces glaring reflections from the glass, which is known to cause irritation in numerous aquatic species.
There is a major difference in the substrate used in a freshwater fish tank and those that can be put in saltwater fish tanks. The chemical properties of the waters are poles apart and to use corals in freshwater aquariums will elevate the pH to unsafe levels for nearly all freshwater fish species.
It is highly recommended to use aquatic approved items that are offered as sterilized, inert material from local or internet fish outlets. You can gather your own from nature but that alternative is only recommended for those with suitable knowledge on the subject of organic materials and their impact on your water composition.